Jimmy Kimmel under fire for saying Roseanne Barr could use 'some compassion and help'

On Wednesday, the talk show host tweeted, “What @TheRealRoseanne said is indefensible, but angrily attacking a woman who is obviously not well does no good for anyone.Please take a breath and remember that mental health issues are real.The Roseanne I know could probably use some compassion and help right now.”

What @TheRealRoseanne said is indefensible, but angrily attacking a woman who is obviously not well does no good for anyone. Please take a breath and remember that mental health issues are real. The Roseanne I know could probably use some compassion and help right now.

Barr erupted in a racist Twitter tirade on Monday when she wrote that Chelsea Clinton was married to the nephew of billionaire George Soros (who Barr called a “Nazi” and more). And regarding former Obama adviserValerie Jarrett, she tweeted: “Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj.”

Jimmy Kimmel and Rosanne Barr. (Photo: Getty Images)

Barr was immediately dropped by her agency ICM and the revival of her namesake series was canceled. “Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show,” Channing Dungey, ABC Entertainment president said in a statement.

Barr apologized for her words, later blaming the sleep drug Ambien for her actions in a since deleted tweet. Jarrett called the incident a “teaching moment” to combat racism. However, Kimmel took a unique stance, asking fans to curb their anger, a sentiment that often generated more heat.

What she said is indefensible but you’re going to defend her anyway? Mental illness, if that’s what this is, does not excuse racism. It is not synonymous with racism. And critique is not attack.

Just wondering if @jimmykimmel thinks Roseanne could have "taken a breath" before she launched into a racist public rant that might have been triggering for any of the millions of people of color who have mental health issues from a lifetime of sustained trauma. https://t.co/dphBktRygJ

On Thursday night during his show, Kimmel called the cancelation of Roseanne a “huge blow” to the network and suggested that ABC continue the series without Barr, renaming it Dan, after her on-screen husband.